Identity theft - what should I be shredding?

My friend has said that not only should I be shredding my bank details, but I should even shred envelopes with my name and address, only, on them - as identity thieves can use this information. Is she being paranoid? Surely all someone has to do is look in a phone directory which has names and addresses? Can anyone explain what I should be shredding??!

Answer: 1.
No, she's not being paranoid.
Just shred *anything* that has got your name and address.
True, people can just find your name and address in a phone book, but they can't really use a phone book as proof of residence.
However they might be able to use a letter that has been addressed to you as a proof of residence.
Answer: 2.
.shred everything that has your name,address,phone number,social security number, driver license info,bank info.account numbers,on you bank checks have only your initials.also on the checks you write out only put the last four account numbers on the check..the bank knows your name and your creditors no your full account numbers. you might want to check out a co. called life lock.they have a web sight .www.lifelock.com.try to keep this in mind ..locks only stop honest people....the thieve,s will always find a way to steal from you.
Answer: 3.
Shred everything including the envelopes they come in and even junk mail or the do you want a loan crap that gets sent through.
Answer: 4.
If someone whats your idenitiy they can take it... Just pray they don't want yours
Answer: 5.
I shred everything with my name and address on it and don't appear in the telephone directory either.
Answer: 6.
We shred everything which relates to us including name address phone number, everything. You can't be too careful.
Answer: 7.
I destroy everything with my name and address on,
Answer: 8.
It is good practice to shred this as an identity thief will use small pieces of information to get bigger ones. For example, if they have your phone bill they will call them up and try to get your social security number.

Shred all your mail and then recycle the bits.
Answer: 9.
I shred anything with my name and address on it, bank details, customer numbers, receipts etc.
Answer: 10.
Shred everything that can be linked to you. You can never be 100% sure these days.
Answer: 11.
Yes always shred anything with your name on it or address and anything to do with you, all people need is a name and it can go a long way , i would take your friends advice. i shred everything !

Need your advice...?

I am making a flier to promote an Identity Theft Awareness workshop I am hosting. I need your thoughts... I want this flyer to pop out at people so they will read it so they know where this free workshop is being held and what they will get out of it. This is a comprehensive awareness workshop to show people all the different typs of ID Theft there is. There are 5 major different ways of being an ID Theft victim that most people are not aware of. I am a victim and I now have the knowledge to share with everyone about I D Theft. All ideas are welcome....I put my question here because I know a lot of people come give and receive advice here. Thank-You... Phillip

Answer: 1.
Red and Blue have been proven to attract the most attention, like red paper with blue print. Stress the word FREE and ID Theft. List condensed 5 ways to be a victim. I hope you're planning this for after the holidays. I applaud you.
Answer: 2.
Hi Phillip -

Make an easy to read flyer and remember to keep it simple. If you put too much information on the flyer,people won't want to come to your workshop to hear more about it. If you would like an example please email me.

What is the best way besides shredding to destroy confidential papers? I use my cat litter (seems to work!)?

I guess this is more of a question and answer both! Besides sitting there for hours and shredding papers, I started putting my "used" cat's litter in with the trash! So far, no problems with anything I have done this with. Someone would have to be awful desperate to go through trash with "used cat litter" mixed in with it!! Any other answers would be appreciated. By the way, if you don't have a cat, ADOPT ONE or contact a local pet shop for "donations of used litter"!!! This should almost put an end to identity theft and may put your mind at ease a little.

Answer: 1.
You could burn them, if they shreaded fine enough you could flush them, you could compost them. That is a good idea.
Answer: 2.
never thought of that..... thanks for the idea!
Answer: 3.
Hey thats a good ideo !!!

i just might to that!!!
Answer: 4.
If you really do not want anyone to try to re-assemble the, put them in the blender with some water and puree for 2 minutes.

They can now be used for compost as long as you do not have any carbon paper in them.
Answer: 5.
A good way of getting rid of it is to burn it. If you camp and have a camp fire throw it in there.
Answer: 6.
Thats so funny as I do the same thing! I put my shredded documents in with my dirty cat litter to make sure no one grabs my shredded pieces.
Answer: 7.
Hey thanks for the ideal, yes I do have a cat and from now on I will put the shredded paper in the cat litter. All the ideas to your response are great ones. Learn something everyday
Answer: 8.
Burn them in a metal waste paper basket outside, then stir the ashes.
Answer: 9.
After shredding, when you put in a trash bag, spritz with some kind of cleaning spray. Getting the paper wet helps to destroy it more, plus the smell keeps the trash can smelling cleaner. Be sure when you put through the shredder, you do it the right way so that there are not strips of paper with lines of info... Need to be sure it cuts down through the info, not across it.

Identity theft. Why shred papers with name/address if a thief can find the same info from telephone directory?

I get fed up with shredding junk mail - what's the point? I understand you shouldn't leave bank details lying around, but do you need to destroy stuff when its in the public domain?

Answer: 1.
It is not the name and address on its own, but certain documents (Utility bills etc) can be used to prove identity and address at a bank or building society to obtain a loan or open an account. Fraudsters then notify them of a change of address so that your name is still used but at a different address. This is often used to "launder " money obtained by dishonest means but also to fleece other people's accounts or obtain loans in your name. It would be a great help if Banks and Building Societies were to cross check with the local Polling List but this is not always the case.
Answer: 2.
They can`t find mine in the telephone directory,i`m not in there! If it bothers you that much then don`t do it,it`s your risk.
Answer: 3.
im not in the telephone directory - you can opt to be ex - directory and not be listed.
Answer: 4.
It's because utility bills and so on can be used as proof of address. And you should be especially wary of all those junk mail credit card applications you receive, because someone could easily apply in your name.
Answer: 5.
Just take your rubbish out a few minutes before the dustmen come, it's much easier
Answer: 6.
The telephone directory will not connect your name and address with a company or account that you have, make sure you shred all the info pertaining to your account numbers, or potential account numbers, so someone can't use your name to start a new account, or get into your old accounts.
Answer: 7.
Not if you are Ex Directory they can't
Answer: 8.
The phone directory doesn't have your SS# where as some of your mail may have it. If you want you can choose to have an unlisted number. If someone really wanted they could still find out all your information even if you take all the necessary steps to protect yourself from identity theft.
Answer: 9.
No, but you do need to shred anything with a credit account number on it and those credit card applications with you name printed on them.
Answer: 10.
You raise a valid point. You need to be responsible with your personal information but you don't need to be paranoid. If someone is really after you they are going to get the information.

To make shredding a less of a pain I recommend shredjunkmail.com. It is cheaper than a shredder and you can do several months of shredding in a few minutes.
Answer: 11.
Can you afford to take chances like that? Personally I can't and therefore cross shred everything, even envelopes. It doesn't take long and gives me peace of mind that I am doing everything I can to avoid identity theft.
It all goes to recycling anyway.
Answer: 12.
do they print ur bank details and credit card numbers in the phone book?
gosh better go get out the yellow pages and do some internet shopping! way hay!
Answer: 13.
identify theft depends on on two things one is your ss card, and your banking information, because home mail can be stolen at the door so easy, contact all your creditors and request that ss number and account numbers be blacked out on all mailings to you. they may request a password arrangement to set this up, or request that all mailings be stopped and copies sent to you by email. when paying Bills record date of statement, the account number and transaction number if on-line. otherwise shred anything. and everything . or do as i do throw it in the wood stove and burn it.

How many times do you tear in half junkmail credit card applications to protect yourself from identity theft?

Assume you have some junkmail you wish to dispose of which has you name and address printed on it but you don't have a shredder available. If it was an A4 size application form, how many times would your tear it in two before putting it in the bin?

Answer: 1.
I'd fold it in half first and then tear it four times. However, most of those junk mail form things are already folded in three or four to fit in the prepared envelope in which case I would simply tear it four times. If the pieces are getting thick for the fourth tear just overlap the edges slightly. Don't line the edges up and you'll only have to tear through at one time as thick as you did for the previous tear.

The pieces end up quite small and if anyone sees trash which is well ripped like that, they'll surely look for easier targets. If you are used to tearing stuff up this is very quick to do.
Answer: 2.
It's a good compromise between small pieces and too thick to tear. Wait and then rip up a whole pile of stuff in one go. Break up all the torn clumps of paper in the bin. It only takes 5 secs stirring around with your hand. I hope this helps someone avoid identity theft if you don't have a shredder.
Answer: 3.
Shred.
Answer: 4.
I have a shredder in my house.
Answer: 5.
I do it all the time...like you, i am afraid someone will steal my identity....Ive seen it happen to a couple friends.
Answer: 6.
I have always tore mine in half. But do realize that druggies will take all those pieces of paper and sit and put them back together so they can use them to get your personal information. the drug makes them able to sit and concentrate and put this back together. They are also driven by the desire for more drugs. So I would purchase a shredder that cuts it into little bits both ways if you wanted to be absolutely sure.
Answer: 7.
I never shred or tear anything. I don't even own a shredder. If someone wants my identity they can have it.
Answer: 8.
enough times that there is no way to piece it back together and make any sense out of it.
Answer: 9.
This is funny, because I've done that for years. I usually tear it twice: down the middle, then across.
Answer: 10.
Kinda hard to assume you don't have a shredder when you have one, but I'll try.... next time this comes up.
Answer: 11.
We have a shredder now, but when we didn't I cut them up a lot with the scissors. You want to make it too hard to piece together. Obviously someone can't tape one together and send if off to get the credit card, but they can get your personal information off of it and use that to try and get other cards. Most people are too lazy to sit and put together something that is in many, many pieces. My husband has made it a policy to shred everything that has our name and address on it. That's probably a little extreme, but I guess it can't hurt.
Answer: 12.
Can U burn it in the sink?
It'll B safer than tearing it up straight in2 the bin.
Do a lil at a time, U have a tap 2 switch on should it start looking a bit iffy.
It's what I would do If I didn't have a shredder.
Answer: 13.
I rip the envelope in half (I don't even open it) and put in my kitchen trash can every time.
Answer: 14.
about 3 or 4
Answer: 15.
Never. Considering those companies now have a phone number so it can be called in, I find the offending portions and burn them
Answer: 16.
I use a crosscut shredder.

http://www.getprotectedhere.com
Answer: 17.
I write "no" in CAPs and "remove from mail listing" on the application. I then take all the papers that I received with the application including the envelope addressed to me and put it in the prepaid return envelope and send it back to them. My satisfaction is knowing it cost them extra money for postage when I return it. Just think if everyone did it, it would double there postage costs.
Answer: 18.
I USUALLY RUN THEM THREW A SHREDDER THEN BURN THEM IN A SMALL METAL CAN IN MY BACK YARD.
Answer: 19.
buy a shreader. You will want a cross cut. They cost a bit more, but worth it